Icy Weather Leads To Power Outages (Watauga County, NC)
Most people who lost electricity as winter weather moved through the region yesterday now have power. Crews were still working to restore power to a few thousand Blue Ridge Energy customers in the western corner of the state overnight. Widespread damage from downed trees was reported across the High Country. The weekend will bring much-welcomed sun to western North Carolina.
Schools Delayed Due To Icy Roads
Some school districts are opening later this morning across the mountains and foothills. Haywood County and the Smoky Mountain District in Jackson County are on a two-hour delay, while the Blue Ridge District starts two-and-a-half hours later. School districts in the higher elevations of Ashe and Watauga are also operating on a two-hour delay. The National Weather Service is warning of black ice on roadways this morning.
Asheville Native Wins New Country Artist (Asheville, NC)
An Asheville native is making his mark in the country music industry. A.C. Reynolds High graduate Luke Combs took home the title of New Artist of the Year at the Country Music Awards in Nashville this week. He thanked all of his buddies from high school for supporting him shortly after he received the award. His album Hurricane reached the top of Billboard's Country Albums Chart last year.
Fairview Fire Could Be Arson (Buncombe County, NC)
Fire officials are investigating a possible arson in Buncombe County. A witness told WLOS-TV that he saw a truck leaving the Fairview home just as smoke was pouring out. Garren Creek firefighters were able to keep the damage to a minimum. No one was inside when they arrived.
Most Of Blue Ridge Parkway Closed (Asheville, NC)
Most of the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed in North Carolina due to treacherous road conditions. A small portion known as the Asheville commuter zone remained open overnight. Mount Mitchell State Park was closed yesterday after both access points were shut down.
Brewery Donates Peanuts To Bear Rescue (Morganton, NC)
A Morganton brewery is helping feed bears at Appalachian Bear Rescue. The owner of Catawba Brewing Company decided to donate around 800 pounds of peanuts leftover from a limited-release beer production. The peanuts are expected to help feed nine bears at the rescue, which has cared for orphaned and injured black bear cubs for more than two decades.
Mooresville Teacher Reported Dead In Mexico (Mooresville, NC)
A Mooresville teacher who went missing in Mexico almost three weeks ago is dead. The family of Patrick Braxton-Andrew says police believe he was killed by a criminal organization in the state of Chihuahua on October 28th. Braxton-Andrew taught Spanish at the Woodlawn School, where classes have been canceled today after news of his death. Chihuahua officials are still looking to recover his body.